We’ve all come to understand the incredible importance of DNA testing. Daytime talk show personalities like Maury Povich have made it abundantly clear that a DNA test can determine who a person is biologically related to. However, DNA testing does so much more than that. Importantly, it is also often used to convict criminals and exonerate the innocent.
“DNA can be used to identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exists,” explains the U.S. Department of Justice, “By the same token, DNA can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. In all, DNA technology is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system.”
Tampa man admits to role in DNA testing kickback scheme.
As reported last week, by the District of New Jersey branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 50 year-old, Jeffery Tamulski discovered that DNA testing can generate illegal profits. The Tampa, Florida resident admitted his role in a conspiracy to receive kickbacks and bribes from laboratories in exchange for referrals of patient DNA samples and genetic tests.
Tamulski and no less than five co-defendants were previously charged by indictment in September 2019. The charges were in connection with the conspiracy and a related health care fraud scheme that violated the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Tamulski recruited outside marketing groups to refer patients.
Both documents filed in the case and statements made in court confirmed that Tamulski recruited such marketing groups as Ark Laboratory Network LLC. Owned by his conspirators, the group was called upon to refer patients’ DNA samples to laboratories for genetic tests. Both Tamulski and certain conspirators entered into kickback agreements with the laboratories. The labs paid Ark bribes in exchange for delivering DNA samples and orders for genetic tests.
“Ark concealed these kickback arrangements by issuing sham invoices to laboratories that purportedly reflected services provided at an hourly rate even though the parties had already agreed upon the bribe amount, which was based on the revenue the laboratories received from Medicare or an amount paid for each DNA sample,” reports the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Medicare paid out about $4.6 million.
Ark delivered referrals and DNA samples to the laboratories in exchange for bribes. Between January 2018 and January 2019, Medicare paid the laboratories approximately $4.6 million for genetic tests that resulted from the referrals and DNA samples. The laboratories ended up paying Ark at least $1.8 million in bribes.
“The charge to which Tamulski pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross grain or loss from the offense whichever is greatest,” details the report, “Tamulski’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2024.”
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